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Verbascum blattaria f. 'albiflorum'

Moth Mullein

• Position: full sun
• Soil: lean, well-drained, alkaline soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: May to July
• Hardiness: short lived perennial

  
  Elegant slender spires have widely space white flowers with a distinct violet eye and golden stamens. Basal rosettes of gloss oak-like leaves. Flowers achieve a rosy pink flush as they fade. This plant is most successfully grown in a lean, well-drained gravel or scree, where a meagre diet avoids the need for staking. On richer soils it may need twiggy support. A good subject for the sunny border, cottage-style plantings and gravel gardens.

• Garden care:Apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch around the base of the plant in autumn to protect from winter extremes, taking care not to cover the crown. Stake in spring with bamboo canes or twiggy prunings before the flowers appear. Mullein moth caterpillars can be a problem, pick off the insects in early June as soon as they appear. Remove faded flower spikes.
  
  It is worth keeping in mind that these plants are mainly biennial, so although they usually self-seed freely, the plant will only live for two years.